Purple Loop

Purple Loop is a short, flat cross-country ski route in Minnesota, about 1.6 miles from the town of Andover. The trail is an out-and-back, roughly 0.2 miles long, with no elevation gain. It starts and ends at about 899 feet, and the entire route stays within a few feet of that level, making it a simple, low-commitment outing for skiers looking to get on the snow close to town. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Andover show January highs around 22°F with lows near 2°F, while February runs about 28°F by day and 7°F at night. The station sits at the same elevation as the trail, so those figures are a fair guide to conditions on the loop. Several other ski routes lie within a mile, including Green Loop at 0.4 miles and Blue Loop at 0.8 miles. For paddling, Coon Creek is about 2.9 miles away.